Alright folks heres my problem, my ranger was running really rough about a week ago, I did the mandatory oil change and tossed in a new air filter, a few miles in and she was a champ afterwards. Yesterday I used it to move to my new place, and after the first the load, she started shaking really bad on idle and the lower the rpm the closer it sounded like it was going to die, then the check engine light came on. I got it home put it park and stepped on the accelerator a couple of times, seemed like it sort of helped.

I want to change the fuel filter, plugs, plug wires, distributer and coil, and clean the MAF sensor, but before any this done I need to check the the voltage coming off the alternator to make sure thats in the clear.

I have know idea if im going in the right direction with any of this, if you guys have any ideas let me know, I was also thinking it might have to do with the fuel pump or lines so im going to run a cleaner through it.

I also forgot to mention that when I accelerate when in drive it goes accelerate-pause-accelerate-normal.

Did you have your CEL checked? Go to Autozone and have them hook the scanner up. It should tell you the code the computer found, which would help you understand the minimum of what may be wrong. Usually with idle issues, a tune-up is a very good idea and well worth the money. You can also try cleaning the Mass Air Flow Sensor, as well as the Idle Air Control Valve.

Definitely have the cel codes read. while you are at auto zone pick up a can of cleaner for the iac valve ,It is super easy to r&r and clean. your codes may or may not be related to the idle problem so I would clean the iac before I spent alot of $$ on unneeded parts .

If the fuel pump was going out, you might get a warning sign like not being able to rev past 3000 rpm for example, as fuel pressure to the injectors could be lower than normal. That happend to my '90 mustang 5.0 once. A bad maf would give you a CEL and would run pretty rough, and maybe a little richer than normal. Definitely get that code(s) checked out to at least point you in the right direction.

You guys are great, so damn quick on the responses, Im going to get the codes as soon as I can, Im in luck, I have an autozone and o'reilys on the same block down the road from me. Im going to check the voltages on the alternator makes sure there in the clear to make sure its not to high and blew something. Its running great when its going faster than say 15mph, 35mph and you would never guess it was having an issue.

It sounds like a short. I had a buddy with a ranger acted just like that when his starter wire was grounding out. If the voltage is being altered it will cause the plug packs and injection to wig out. Once he lifted the starter wire off the spot on the frame it was touching it ran perfect. This would also be in the area you'd be in changing the oil filter so it made me think of this situation. The positive from the battery is in this general area. Good luck either way! If the codes don't give you much info, it would be easy to just check for any shorts.